Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir issued a decree Monday following the official result of the referendum conducted in South Sudan. The president expressed support for the outcome, which included a vast majority for secession.

The decree was issued after al-Bashir received the final outcome of the referendum.

Bakri Hassan Salih, the presidential affairs minister, told Sudanese television that the government of Sudan announced its acceptance for the vote and respects the people of south Sudan.

Earlier, Bashir told supporters in Khartoum that he would announce his acceptance of the choice of the south Sudan people, adding that the final results of the referendum are well known so there will be an official commitment to the final outcome.